Locomotor Performance Lab

Weyand is well-known for research that integrates the mechanics and physiology of locomotion in humans and other species. He is widely considered to be the world’s leading authority on the mechanics and energetics of high-speed running and high-intensity exercise performance.

Weyand earned a doctorate degree from the University of Georgia, a master's from Bridgewater State College and a bachelor's from Bates College. His current areas of research focus include mechanical basis of running and jump[ion performance, sprint exercise performance, and energetics and mechanics of walking and running.

Weyand is the Chair of the Department of Kinesiology at TCU. He was previously the Glenn Simmons Endowed Professor of Applied Physiology and Biomechanics at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Prior to serving on the faculty at SMU, he directed research efforts at Harvard University’s Concord Field Station, a large animal facility specializing in terrestrial locomotion and the Locomotion Laboratory of Rice University. His past research subjects have included antelope, emus, rodents and professional athletes with and without limb amputations.

McClelland is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Health Sciences at TCU. She completed her doctoral degree from Southern Methodist University in applied physiology and biomechanics. Her research interests include the basic mechanics and health implications of the performance of high-intensity exercise such as running, jumping and weightlifting across the lifespan, with a particular interest in sex differences in performance and specific health outcomes for women.

Prior to starting her doctoral training at SMU, McClelland earned a bachelor's in exercise science and a master's in kinesiology at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio while participating on the varsity softball team at BGSU. She later served as the assistant director of strength and conditioning for BGSU Athletics, training seven of the university’s 17 teams. Additionally, McClelland taught "Applied Sports Science" as an adjunct faculty member and supervised student interns from the exercise science program and students from other university programs interning at BGSU. She is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

When not in the lab, McClelland enjoys fossil hunting with her husband, reading, strength training and hanging out with her dogs, Pudge and Mahi.

Sunil is a biomechanist and third-year doctoral student who joined the TCU Locomotor Performance Lab in 2023 as a research engineer. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Sunil’s journey began in the Rewire Research Lab at the University of Texas. His research focused on muscle activation patterns and correlations between post-stroke SKG patients and mechanically restricted post-stroke movements in healthy individuals.

After completing his master’s, he joined the Locomotor Performance Lab at Southern Methodist University in 2020 where he collaborated on research projects with corporate partners like Nike, led and assisted in various research projects, mentored undergraduate researchers and ensured the lab’s smooth operation. While his graduate work focused on rehabilitation engineering, Sunil’s true passion lies in biomechanics and human performance in sports.

An avid Dallas Mavericks fan, you can find him on the court playing basketball, tennis or pickleball.

Gouresh is a first-year doctoral student who joined the TCU Locomotor Performance Lab in 2024 as a research assistant. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Shivaji University in Kolhapur, a master's degree in kinesiology from Dallas Baptist University (DBU), and a master's degree in exercise physiology from Midwestern State University (MSU) in Texas. His research journey began at the biomechanics lab at MSU, where his focus was on the correlation between isokinetic movement patterns and on-field performance in collegiate tennis players, as well as muscle activation patterns in collegiate women cross-country and track athletes.

Originally from Kolhapur, India, Gouresh has experience as a national-level 100m sprinter. After moving to the U.S., he expanded his knowledge through various certifications and gained experience as a personal trainer at Texas Tech University. His passion for sprinting led him to DBU, where he resumed competing at the NCAA Division II level and gained valuable experience interning at Michael Johnson Performance. He then pursued his second master’s degree while serving as a graduate assistant coach for the women’s cross-country and track and field teams at MSU.

In his free time, Gouresh enjoys working on his multiple businesses, supporting Manchester United, playing video games, fishing or lifting weights.

Parker Hughes is a first-year graduate student in kinesiology. He joined the Locomotor Performance Lab after graduating with a bachelor's degree in health and fitness from TCU in May 2024.

During his undergraduate years at TCU, Hughes was a member and captain of TCU's swim and dive team. Parker has also interned with TCU Athletics' Human Performance department and worked with men’s baseball and women’s volleyball, primarily.

Now, Parker is working to take these skills into the professional world as a collegiate coach – either in swimming or strength and conditioning.